Former Merrillville star wants to be ND's go-to back
SOUTH BEND | Charlie Weis has alluded to the fact he'd like to play more smash-mouth football this fall since he doesn't have an experienced quarterback.
Notre Dame running back James Aldridge would like very much to help accommodate the Irish head coach's quest to accomplish the goal.
The former Merrillville High School star is currently embroiled in highly intense competition with Travis Thomas, Junior Jabbie and freshmen Armando Allen and Robert Hughes in an attempt to determine who will become the go-to player in ND's backfield.
While Thomas is considered the favorite to earn the job, Weis didn't rule out a running back by committee system.
"Right now it's too premature because there are five halfbacks you can put on the field, and you can win with any of the five of 'em," Weis said. "Now, obviously, you can't play five running backs. But it is a little too early to etch in stone that Travis is going to get every snap or Armando Allen is fast so let's give him every snap.
"I'd say the running back position is the one position right now that I'm not worrying about too much."
While Aldridge said he's behind whatever Weis decides to do, there's no mistaking he has designs on winning the job after rushing for 142 yards on 37 carries in seven games as a freshman last season.
In fact, Aldridge, the team's leading returning rusher, is just itching to carry the load.
"Yeah, I am," he said. "I really got limited carries last year and now I feel it's, like, time to really get out there and play some ball. Obviously (winning the job) is what I'm trying to do, but you know it's all up to coach Weis. I'm just going to do what I can to compete and to make the position mine, but actions speak louder than words."
Even though he put in a lot of time working out with ND's running backs this summer, Aldridge put in some overtime of his own.
He did some extra running and swimming to try and build up his strength and stamina and gain an edge.
"I did anything that could help you out," Aldridge said. "It was recovery from one workout to the next. I guess extra pool workouts would be it for me."
When Aldridge wasn't working out, he was concentrating on academics.
He took three classes this summer -- African American Women's history, psychology statistics and piano.
His favorite class was piano, because he learned how to read music.
"I hadn't played before and I wanted to learn," Aldridge said. "It was a lot of fun. I'm going to keep taking lessons while I'm here."
Aldridge said the only songs he learned to play were "Jingle Bells" and "Brother John", but he's determined to learn how to play a lot more.
Aldridge is also determined to earn more playing time this fall as well.
"The more you can do to improve, the better your chances, I guess," he said.
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